Description
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe delivers a flavorful and satisfying dish combining perfectly cooked penne pasta, tender Cajun-seasoned shrimp, and a rich, creamy sauce made with garlic, tomatoes, heavy cream, and parmesan. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight meal that balances spicy, creamy, and savory notes for a deliciously decadent dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente, following the package instructions. Reserve some pasta cooking water before draining, then cover the pasta to keep warm.
- Cook Shrimp: Coat the shrimp evenly with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and sauté for about 1-2 minutes on each side until shrimp turn opaque and no longer translucent. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the diced tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes to soften and release their flavors.
- Make Sauce: Pour in 1 ½ cups of heavy whipping cream along with the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce thicken for 2-3 minutes while stirring occasionally.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked shrimp and drained pasta back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta and shrimp evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency. Heat through for another minute. Serve garnished with extra grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount based on your preferred spice level and the brand used.
- Reserve pasta water to help thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Use fresh shrimp for the best texture and flavor, but frozen shrimp thawed completely works well too.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich and creamy.
